Spreading positivity through his music and awareness for green living is what keeps singer Zainal Abidin going.
HIS intention is to turn people green, not with envy but rather, a positive lifestyle tempered by humanity and environmental consciousness.
It’s no surprise that one of his most famous songs, Hijau, is still as fresh and relevant today as when it was first released 25 years ago.
“It’s like a national anthem for our country now,” says the 57-year-old entertainer, who has had his share of hard knocks in his rise to becoming a successful artiste.
Growing up in a poor family in Johor Baru, Zainal at 15, used to play the trombone at Chinese funeral processions, earning RM5 per gig.
But his talent, passion and determination for music saw him rising quickly as the lead vocalist of Headwind, one of the most popular bands in the 1980s.
Going solo in the 1990s, Zainal released his eponymous hit album, featuring a new sound unheard of at the time, which resonated with a wide spectrum of Malaysians.
What followed was the hugely popular Ikhlas concert tour that saw Zainal and a slew of other artistes performing in a series of shows in Malaysia and Japan. This raised his profile even further.
“It was a time when there was no limit to creativity. I was a Malay artiste who broke through the racial barrier with a distinctly Malaysian album,” he says.
A mix of eastern, western and world elements — that included Malay, Chinese and Indian flavours — his songs have stood the test of time.
Aside from The Legendary Concert, a successful touring show with Datuk Sheila Majid, Amy Search and Datuk Jamal Abdillah in 2012, Zainal recently performed sold out solo shows at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, backed by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, in May this year.
Speaking from his luxurious Bukit Kemuning home in Shah Alam, with a set of parked vehicles, including a Porsche and Jaguar, he explained that a multiracial crowd turned up for his DFP shows.
“They sung along and some even cried. I’m very happy and proud to have been able to bring the different races to sit down and enjoy themselves together,” he says.
ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME
No stranger to the international music scene, having worked with the likes of Phil Collins and Paul Simon, Zainal will be performing at a special concert, entitled Music for Mercy, in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday.
Hosted for free by Abiah Music, the live event will also feature Italian tenors Andrea Bocelli and Giovanni Caccamo, multiple Grammy Award-winner David Foster, British musical theatre actress Elaine Paige, Canadian vocal group The Tenors and Syrian clarinet player Kinan Azmeh.
“It is a great honour to be selected to represent Malaysia at this prestigious event,” says Zainal, who will be backed by the Roma United Orchestra, led by famed Chinese conductor Tan Dun.
“I’ll definitely be singing my famous tunes like Hijau and Ikhlas Tapi Jauh during my four to six-song set,” says the jovial singer, who is flying to Rome today with his wife and manager, Angelina Asmawi.
“The show happens on the evening of July 26 but I’ll be there till the end of the month just to travel around the country and visit places like Milan and Venice,” says Zainal.
“I’m very excited to share the stage with such renowned talents and I also hope to have some fellowship with the artistes.”
The concert will take place at the historic grounds of Rome’s Forum.
Considered the heart of the ancient city and home to some of the world’s most important archaeological discoveries, it is the first time permission has been granted for an event at the Forum.
“It’s a celebration of universal values and humanity through music. With what’s happening in the world right now, we certainly need more peace and unity,” he says, adding that Malaysian tycoon Tan Sri Francis Yeoh is footing the bill to bring him over for the concert.
MUSICAL BROTHERHOOD
Zainal, dressed in his trademark white T-shirt and blue jeans, revealed that he plans to approach Foster and Borcelli with an idea for a collaborative album.
“I’ve been thinking about this for the last three years and have since been in talks with Sting, Peter Gabriel, Gypsy Kings, Stewart Copeland, A.R. Rahman and some others about it. It’ll be an international effort focusing on a humanitarian and environmental angle, titled The Brotherhood,” he says.
Although there have been verbal agreements from some of them, Zainal says the major challenges include financing and logistics.
“I’m talking to Yeoh to back me on this and will probably approach Khazanah Nasional to see if I can get a reaction,” he says of the ongoing project.
Zainal confesses that, with his 40th anniversary of being in the music industry coming up, he has done it all.
“Musically speaking, I’ve been there, done that. I’m just hoping to complete this international album and then I can retire peacefully,” he says with a laugh. If everything goes well, he will also be preparing a treat for fans in conjunction with turning 40 as an artiste.
“The Zainal Abidin 40th Anniversary Concert will be an almost two hour show divided into four segments.
“There’s my childhood era which will see me singing folk songs like Rasa Sayang and Burung Kakak Tua, a Headwind section with the original members, another part with the Ikhlas team and the final session showcasing the best of my latest works,” says Zainal enthusiastically.
He lets on that the concert will either happen at the end of the year or early next year.
GREEN THOUGHTS
“After all these years, it’s time to give back,” says Zainal, in relation to his charity and humanitarian work.
Opining that the children are the future, he says: “I love helping the less fortunate children, without looking at race or religion.”
Through his Afrozapin Network, which he describes as an event management company and creative hub, Zainal is currently working with the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water to educate students on going green.
“We’re running a two year campaign for the ministry, where I deliver seminars, talks and conduct road tours at universities in 13 states,” he says.
“I want the young to know and be aware of renewable energy, energy efficiency and recycling.”
Zainal adds that the response has been very positive from those aged 35 and below.
“It works but it’s a gradual process,” he says.
When asked if he would be a mentor to other aspiring musicians or youngsters he says: ”I’m not a mentor. Everything I have learnt is from the streets, the hard way. I have no formal education.”
But as a positive symbol of success, who counts his blessings, he adds: “I can only share my experiences.”